On the Road--where peach cobbler is a vegetable

Recent Sunday travels took me to the Round House Restaurant in Caruthersville, Missouri. Don't ask for a corner seat in this hometown eatery!

It would seem that the "after church" meal in southern Southeast Missouri is a lost custom!

My friend and I, visiting a church in Portageville, were looking forward to a meal at Patty Ann's in Hayti. Wrong! Closed! (Choice #1)

(Choice #2) The casino! Wrong! A waitress begrudgingly ushered us to a table, slammed two menus in front of us and then forgot us.

(Choice #3) Twisters Barbecue. Wrong! Closed!

(Choice #4) Grandpa's Deli. Wrong! Closed!

(Choice #5) The Round House. Bingo! Open! No wonder it was surrounded by a bevy of cars and trucks.

This quaint southern eatery features plenty of homestyle cooking and a folksy atmosphere. The walls are a "picker's" delight, covered with a collection of old signs, photos and memorabilia. Elvis smiles down at customers, and I'm pretty sure I saw the Three Stooges.

The waiter, clad in blue jeans and a tee shirt, was only to glad to chat with us and bring us up to date on local history. His advice--"Just don't ask for a corner seat!"

You never know what treasures you'll find when you travel the length and breadth of this great country...